If there’s one thing we know about beauty, it’s that nail trends are the ultimate playground for self-expression. Whether you’re a minimalist who swears by barely-there shades (hello, milky white nails and sheer pink manis) or a maximalist leaning into bold patterns, textures and nail art, nails have become the accessory that completes any look. In 2025, this obsession shows no signs of slowing down.
While quiet luxury and minimalist nails dominated over the last 18 months, this year we're seeing the pendulum to shift to more maximalist designs. From TikTok-viral techniques like cat eye nails to polished colours (brown nails aren't going anywhere, FYI) the nail trends of 2025 strike a perfect balance between nostalgia and futurism. Think chrome metallics, Y2K nail art and embellishments and 3D charms that are works of art in their own right. The focus is on individuality, and your nails are the canvas.
To find out the nail trends that will dominate this year, I asked celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton to detail the key nails trends we're seeing in 2025. Whether you're booking your next salon appointment or experimenting with DIY nail art at home, these are guaranteed to give you plenty of inspo. Scroll on to discover the nail trends everyone will be talking about this year—and trust us, you'll want to add these for your Pinterest board ASAP.
Nail Trends 2025
1. Milky Nails
Milky nails have been a key dominating nail trend for 2025—from almond milk nails to strawberry milk nails, we're seeing every iteration of the sheer nail trend on our feeds—even milky pedicures are taking off. You won't see this trend disappearing anytime soon and its a sure-fire way to make your mani look classic, elegant and expensive-looking.
I'm obsessed with this milky look paired with almond nails.
A french manicure goes surprisingly well with a milky manicure too.
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2. Fruit Water Nails
On the flipside of milky nails, we have fruit water nails. These are the high-shine, sheer polishes in fruity hues that add just a hint of colour to the nails. They're like infusing a clear mani with your favourite fruity colours. They're a little more sheer than jelly nails, so they're not only very wearable but also low-maintenance too.
I love this fruity mango mani with pastel tips.
This trend looks great paired with a French tip, too.
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3. Cat Eye
Once considered as a bit of a dated nail trend, cat eye nails have been trickling back for a while now with Google searches for the trend up 5,000%, and we can expect to see them more and more as we head into 2025. Cat eye nails are created by using a polish with particles that shift under a magnet, which makes a glassy, velvet-like effect to the nails. The technique is typically created with gel polishes, but there are also magnetic nail polishes and dual-chrome nail colours that create a similar look at home.
I'm bookmarking these rainbow cat eye nails immediately.
Red cat eye nails are so luxurious.
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4. Mocha Brown
With Pantone declaring Mocha Mousse as it's Colour of the Year for 2025, we'll undoubtedly see our manicures following suit. Brown has been trending across fashion and beauty for a while as one of the leading luxury colours, so it's not going away anytime soon in 2025. Expect to see this nail colour trend everywhere this year.
Brown and chrome is a chic combination.
Dark brown nails always look sophisticated.
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5. 3D Nail Art
"I think of bold nails when it comes to 2025," says Shelton. "Ones that will make a statement and really showcase you and your personality, such as different textures like 3D nail art." And we're seeing it all over our social feeds, with fun 3D accents (think cherries and flowers), nail charms and abstract nail art designs with multiple textured effects. Think of it as the nail version of all the cute bag charms we've been seeing lately. This is one nail art trend you can have a lot of fun with.
How cute are these 3D olives?
3D nail art is going to enhance your standard manicure.
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6. Bold Colours
While the trend for quiet luxury and stealth wealth dominated in 2024, our manicures followed with neutral pinks, milky whites and soft beiges. But that is set to change in 2025, says Shelton. "There’s been a huge shift from everything once being beige to people incorporating colour into their lives, whether this is fashion or home interior, so I think there’ll definitely be more colourful nails in 2025," she says. "I’m thinking cobalt blues, deep reds and even metallics." This year is the return of colour and fun.
A bright red is a chic take on the bold nail colour trend.
Apple green is another fashion-forward nail colour we'll see in 2025.
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7. Nail Art Revival
Alongside the 3D nail enhancements, we're also seeing a big return to nail art for 2025. "I’m not fully saying the quiet luxury trend has been put to bed, but it definitely has taken a back seat recently," says Shelton. "People are starting to opt for more nail art and fun colours for their nails, so I definitely think we’ll be seeing a change there," she says. From aura nails to animal print nail art, this is the time to get experimental.
Give your mani great vibes with aura nail art designs.
Animal print nail art is back, from cow print to crocodile.
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8. Embellishments
"For 2025 I feel like we will be seeing a return of the intricate nail art and fully bedazzled nails," says Shelton. That's right, we're about to see a return to gems, chrome accents and pearls that not only have an air of Y2K nostalgia, but also feel like an extension of your jewellery. Achieve the look with nail sticks or apply your chosen embellishment with a clear top coat—it couldn't be easier to jump on this trend.
I'm obsessed with this silver chrome nail art.
So. Pretty.
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9. Press On Nails
Long gone are the days of bad false nails pinging off—there's a new generation of press on nails that are better than ever and make your hands look like you've just stepped out of the salon. "Press on nails are having a huge moment as people are able to achieve the salon look for less at home," says Shelton. "It also means they’re can chop and change their nails as and when they please and they’re also great for those who can’t necessarily commit to gel on their nails."
Press on nails come in all shapes and lengths so you can choose the best one for you.
I've religiously been wearing OPI's press on nails (this is in the shade Throw Me A Kiss, which has a chrome-like finish) and they genuinely last me nearly two weeks.
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10. Ballet Nails
"Ballet pink nails are going to be a big nail trend in 2025," says Shelton. "This soft, delicate shade is the perfect mix of classy and cute. It's super versatile, so it works for both everyday vibes and fancy occasions for that effortlessly chic touch," she says. "My go-to shades are Essie Ballet Slippers (£9), OPI Bubble Bath (£16) & Hermès Rose Coquille (£46)."
No matter your nail length, a sheer pink will always look good.
It also works for any nail shape and instantly flatters your nails.
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Essie's Ballet Slippers is a bestseller for a reason, it's the perfect sheer pink.
There are people who never deviate from this iconic sheer pink, whether it's worn sheer with one coat or layered up for a more milky pink hue.
Next on our list to try is this dreamy Hermès polish.
11. Signature Manicures
While trends can be fun to follow, Shelton expects that we'll see more experimentation and personal style when it comes to our manicures. "I think signature manicure looks will be a huge moment," she says, with "people tapping into their own personal style and expressing their personality. We don’t always need to follow trends," she says.
Instead, this is the year for finding your signature red nail polish, the perfect sheer pink polish for your skin tone and experimenting with nail art that brings you joy. "For example, my personal style is something muted on my nails on a daily basis," says Shelton. "It's no fuss, it doesn’t overstimulate me and I know it suits me."
Everyone should own their perfect shade of red—this one is OPI Got The Blues For Red (£15).
A French manicure is a timeless classic if you want a signature manicure that's understated and goes with anything.
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This suits-all shade will be a timeless hue you'll come back to time and time again—it's your nails, but better.
This lesser-known red OPI nail colour is eternally chic.
If a French manicure is your signature, this a good nail art brush will ensure your lines are perfectly crisp every time.
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